In a recent interview, Jackie speaks out about the “misconception.” She says, “The biggest misconception is that we are mean and bullies, and we don’t like Draya, but that is not true. We all have something to offer; it’s a lot of judging that goes on, especially because of the way things seem on TV. But once you get to know us as a whole, we all are not bullies and are caring, compassionate women. But we are not bullies—we all are really good people once you get to know us.” Say it one more time and people may just start to believe it!

Of the infamous scene, Jackie, like all reality veterans before her, blames editing for creating a situation that appeared to have all the ladies ganging up on Draya. Jackie explains,“See a lot of people didn’t get to see everything that was being discussed. It comes off like I was being a bully, and it seemed as though we were all just coming down on her, but there were a lot of things that was edited out. Draya wasn’t crying from what I was saying to her.”

She continues, “A lot of things were talked about and said throughout the whole conversation, and yes, I am crazy about my husband, but who wouldn’t be? But I wasn’t just saying it to Draya in a way that came off to be aggressive, even though that is how it may have appeared. Yes, I do have a strong personality, but I also am a loving and caring person.”

Finally, moving on from the Draya drama, Jackie addresses her missing cast mates, Kimsha Artest and Tanya Williams. If you recall, it has been SEVERAL episodes since we’ve laid eyes on those women. Despite a fake facebook page hurling accusations that Shaunie O’Neal orchestrated their absence, both women claim they left on their own because they didn’t like the way their cast members were behaving constant drama.

However, Jackie says we shouldn’t count Kimsha and Tanya out for good yet. She reveals, “I like both of them. I do miss their presence on the show—they are going to come back on a few of the future episodes. We stopped filming now, but they did do a lot of filming separate from myself, because a lot of times we don’t film together. But I do like both of them; I would love to see them be a part of the show again in the future.”

Switching gears from Los Angeles to Miami, recently Royce Reed of the original Basketball Wives claimed she was leaving the show. Once again heading to Twitter to track her career decisions, Royce has changed her tune and decided to return for season four.

Roycetweeted, “Well, As stated last week pertaining 2 BBW season 4 tht things may change and after SEVERAL conversations I have decided 2 return for Season 4. How much, I don’t know because I won’t compromise my career. I was NEVER cut/fired and my decision to return is solely based on negotiations, and messages from my fans. I love y’all and u will see a different side of me Season 4. #ImOuttie”

While many of her fellow cast mates have threatened not to film with Royce, she did receive some love from Tami Roman, who responded, “OK, I don’t know whether 2hug u or smack the ish outta u-girl don’t take me on emotional roller coaster LOL-welcome back :)”

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JACKIE’S INTERVIEW? IS SHE A BULLY? ARE YOU EXCITED ROYCE WILL BE RETURNING TO BASKETBALL WIVES: MIAMI? DO YOU THINK SHE WAS EVER REALLY GOING TO LEAVE?

Royce tweeted: “Good Afternoon! As of right now I have decided NOT 2return 4 Season 4 of BBW due 2 artistic differences.Things may change but as of now, NO!”

After some fans wondered if this sudden change of heart was over money (I mean let’s face it “artistic differences” is usually the code name for I want more money!), Royce denied it was over finances. She wrote: “Some things have Nothing to do with money but All to do with images/careers! Never sell your soul! Respect is hard 2 come by! :-)”

Wow. Even more surprising Royce’s costar Tami Roman then hinted that she might also be leaving the show. “Well ok @Roycelr don’t be surprised-several others may follow…” tweeted Tami.

No word yet on what those creative differences Royce is talking about could be. Perhaps the producers of the show are wanting her to make up with Evelyn,Shaunie O’NealandJennifer Williams in other to remain relevant on the show. After icing Royce out last season by not inviting her to Italy, the three meangirls have stated they no longer want to film with her. And with Meeka Claxton reportedly getting the boot, that leaves Royce with no one to film with except Tami.

And just a few days ago, the NY Post posted the blind item below about Shaunie the show –

“Which producer of a VH1 reality show is fed up with negotiations over contracts for “Basketball Wives?” The producer was overheard telling people that the ladies “better fall in line” or they’ll be booted “like the New York Housewives.”

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Must say the show is in serious danger if Evelyn, Royce, and Tami all decide to walk away!

Photos credit: PR Photos

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON ROYCE QUITTING THE SHOW? WILL YOU MISS HER ON IT?

In separate interviews with VH1, two cast members from the third season of Basketball Wives speak out about how they were perceived on the show, feuds with the fellow ladies, and whether they will return for a fourth season. Meeka Claxton and Royce Reed were the two women who clashed with a majority of their cast mates, and now they are having the opportunity to say their peace.

When Meeka left Italy, she wrote Shaunie O’Neal a letter explaining her quick exit after a brawl with Tami Roman. In her interview, Meeka says that she has no regrets over how she left. She states, “I stand behind what I did. You know I tried to stay but it was just continuous bullying from Tami. It wasn’t getting better. So when it finally came to the point of violence I was like I definitely can’t be here. You know I’m a business woman, this was not my scene. That may be her scene and that’s fine.”

Meeka is suing Tami over the incident, reasoning, “It’s pretty much to let her know there are consequences to actions. And that’s pretty much it.” When asked if an mea culpa from her cast mate could smooth things over, Meeka continues, “I don’t foresee an apology from Tami because this isn’t the first time she’s hit someone on camera. She thinks violence is cool and I’m not with that, at all. It’s not something I’m teaching my girls.”

While Meeka cites the show as a growing experience, she doesn’t give a straight answer when asked about her participation in Season 4, which is casting now. At first she says, “Um, honestly I don’t think that will happen.” However she changes her tune a bit and admits, “I think maybe [I’d be open to a fourth season], but only if they showed our lifestyles and behind the scenes.” And as far as her thoughts on the mean popular girls, Meeka reveals, “I don’t have words for any of them, Royce is the only one, and I would say she is honest.”

Speaking of Royce, she has her own thoughts on the show and what she hopes to accomplish in the future. While she hasn’t heard any more from Eric Williams about his porno blockbuster (shocking!), she is still open to starring in his movie. Of Jen Williams‘ reaction, Royce still doesn’t care…nor does she care about Jen insinuating she sleeps with a lot of men. Royce explains, “It doesn’t hurt my feelings because I know it’s not true and also its coming from Jen. She really is not relevant in my life. It would be different if it was coming from a true friend or a family member maybe I would feel that way, but coming from Jen I know that half the stuff that comes out of her mouth is somebody else’s opinion, it’s not her own, and on top of that she just likes to say stuff to start rumors versus it being true or not.”

Royce touches on her friendship with Tami, but tellingly, Suzi isn’t mentioned once. However the majority of her interview is based on her future plans in show business. Royce says, “[A]fter this show is done I’m gonna either have a show of my own, or your definitely gonna see me in the lights but my major was theatre arts and I’m very good at it, not to toot my own horn but toot toot! I’m a actress first. Outside of that I’m extremely intelligent and I can always hold my own and I don’t need to be sitting around drinking and talking about another person.”

Royce adds, “I can be enhancing my own career. So again when this show is over and done with, I plan on doing movies, I plan on going to auditions, and becoming part of a legacy. So I just want to make sure when I look back five or six years from now and I see this show and I’m like ‘Man, look where I started and look where I am now.’ It’s definitely not gonna be the end of me. I have too much to show the world, too much talent, I don’t want to just give it up because of Basketball Wives.”

And while Meeka may be on the fence about her return, Royce plans on definitely being back for a fourth season if she gets her way. She says, “I’m gonna ride it until the wheels fall off for me, but I know that this show isn’t the end of me. I have a lot going on for myself so I can hold my own.” What does Royce have in the works? According to the interview, her fans need to be on the lookout for a children’s book series, an exercise video, a touring play, and a book tour. She also may be doing a calendar, test pictures of which you can see below.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE RETURN FOR SEASON 4? WOULD YOU GO SEE A MOVIE STARRING ROYCE? THOUGHTS ON HER CALENDAR PICS?

In her latest blog for the HollywoodLife, Jen talks Royce, the reunion, Eric and of course Meeka! When it comes to Royce, Jen makes it clear she and her circle BFFs Shaunie O’Nealand Evelyn Lozadawant to get her kicked off the show no longer want to film with her.

“Royce is irrelevant! I refuse to waste another ounce of breath on her. She just doesn’t get it! Royce is always starting some drama and I am at a point in my life where I am trying to get rid of drama and any negative influences,” wrote Jen “It boils down to myself, Shaunie and Evelyn not wanting to film with her because she is so full of drama. Other than her “movie role” with Eric, she doesn’t have much of a story line. I am certain she doesn’t want to talk about her new boyfriend that just had a baby with another woman while we were filming…” Ouch!

Jen didn’t end there as it was Meeka Claxton‘s turn to be verbally bitch slapped! “Meeka just needs to shut the hell up! Her mouth is what got her in trouble in the first place. She claims she doesn’t want to be in “the circle” but isn’t that the very reason she came on the show? She should start thinking and choose her words more carefully so she can stop putting her foot in her mouth!” blogged Jen.

Jen also discussed the drink throwing incident with estranged husband Eric Williams, stating it just assured her getting a divorce was the right decision. “The incident with Eric is very unfortunate, however it was just a firm confirmation that I am moving in the right direction,” wrote Jen.

She continued, “I feel Eric ended our relationship with a coward move. Yes, yes I did throw a drink first. I was frustrated our discussion didn’t resolve anything about our impending divorce but I never hit him with the drink nor did I intend to hit him with the drink. The manner and forcefulness in which he threw that drink at me, not to mention hit my chin surprised the hell out of me!”

Jen adds that she continues to date, though she is no longer with Will from the show. There are also rumors that her new beau Lucas James recently dumped her so it appears Jen is single again!

Photo credit: D. Salters/WENN.com

TELL US – IS THE CIRCLE TRYING TO ICE ROYCE OUT? THOUGHTS OF JEN’S COMMENTS ABOUT MEEKA AND ERIC?

It’s reunion time for the ladies of Basketball Wives with the first part of the drama (if you can call it that) airing last night. Former NBA star John Salley is back to regulate host the ladies as they reminisce about the third season.

Tami’s wig hair combined with Shaunie’s dress distracts me at first, but a clip of Royce blasting the ladies on last season’s reunion brings me back up to speed. When questioned about the new attitude she found last season, Royce explains she is just being herself. And the real Royce wears Larry Byrd tube socks, not Gucci shoes, to go luxury car shopping. Royce calls out Jen for claiming Jen’s makeover of Royce was her “good deed for the day.” Not one to be one-upped in passive aggression, Jen says, “I don’t hear anyone talking. What’s the next question?”

Following what can only be described as the most dramatic season yet, the ladies gather together in the same room to rehash some of the season’s most dramatic moments. Meeka and Tami will get into it again, while Royce will of course argue with the “circle.” John Salley returns to host the show again this year. It airs tonight at 8/7c on VH1 and a preview clip is below! There are also rumors that Eric Williams might make an appearance on the show (part 1 or part 2) to discuss the drink tossing incident.

In other news, the show’s resident sh*t starter executive producer Shaunie O’Neal is now speaking out against the recent fighting on the show. This is after it came out that the episode featuring the Tami Roman and Meeka Claxtonfight was one of the highest rated of the season. In fact, last week’s finale episode with the drink throwing incident was its highest rated in over 2 years with over 2.6 million viewers tuning in.

Well Shaunie is now claiming she is embarrassed by what the show has become. “When I started the show I really just wanted to follow this group of ladies around. We all have a common bond; we understand each others’ lives. It started as that. Since then, it’s taken on a life of its own,” Shaunie told FOX411’s Pop Tarts. “I never imagined it would be a group of ladies fighting and arguing that way that they do. That was never part of the plan.”

It didn’t end there as Shaunie reveals she feels conflicted that the episodes with the fights garner higher ratings. “I hate that it has to be a fight or an argument that gives us 4.2 million viewers. I hate that, but it’s something where I’m working as hard as I can to show some type of balance, because it is there. We’re going to try to do more of that in season four,” she said. “I know that people love the fighting and the arguing, but I do want to have some positive in there somewhere.” Right Shaunie. Are you buying it?

As for getting smacked in the face with a wave of alcohol by her soon to be ex-husband, Jen was understandably shocked. “To be honest, I know that I threw the glass [first], but I didn’t throw it intentionally to hit him. I felt like when he came back, and he threw the drink, I was like, ‘Wow!’ It was so aggressive and so forceful. It was like, ‘Wow, did he really just do that?’ It was just a confirmation that I was doing the right thing — getting a divorce.” She even reveals that the glass hit her in the chin. While I must agree that Eric was extremely aggressive, I don’t think anyone throws a drink not intending to hit their target. I’m not sure I’m buying that she wasn’t trying to soak him.

Although the pair hasn’t spoken since the incident, Eric did attempt a lame apology via text message. Jensays, “He texted me a few days after he threw the drink and he apologized. But then he said, ‘I heard you found someone.’ That was definitely not the person I married, or maybe it was and it was hidden all that time. To me that just goes to show that you can know someone and never really know them.”

Jen did get to let loose on Eric in a different way at her divorce party. Not only did she have him beheaded on her cake, she also got to whack a pinata mini-me of her ex. Of the paper mache smack down, Jen admits, “It definitely felt good. It felt good to be with my friends and celebrate independence. Although I’m not officially divorced, I know that I’m moving in that direction.” Jen also wants the viewers to know that the make-out session they witnessed between her and William was as far as things went. “We didn’t use the Magnums,” she confesses, adding that William did not go home with her that evening.

Not only did her marriage not survive this season, her friendship with cast mate Royce Reed ended as well after the pair had a blow-up over Royce’s contact with Eric. Does Jen think the two will ever be able to reconcile? That would be a resounding “No.” Jen says, “I don’t really have anything to say to Royce. I feel like she’s very immature and I already tried to explain [that] to her one time. I don’t think she’s going to get it, so I’m done. I’m not going to make you anymore relevant. I’m done.”

Jen also discusses her friendship with Evelyn Lozada. Even after their drama this season, she always knew that they would be okay. Jen states, “You go through ups and downs in your relationships.” She continues, “We fight, we argue, we move on. It wasn’t a big deal where I didn’t think we could move past it.” Regarding her friend’s upcoming marriage to Chad Ochocinco, Jen advises, “When you get married, you just really have to be on the same page with the person. Trust and communication is key.”

Jen also credits the show for helping her deal with some of her own issues. She admits, “It was difficult at times, but I don’t live with regrets. I’m glad it happened that way because who knows — if I wasn’t forced to talk about these things, I may still be in that miserable situation.” And while Jen is ready to move on from her rocky marriage to Eric, don’t expect her to dive into a new relationship right away. She says,“I’m looking for a guy that can make me laugh, we have a good time. Right now, I definitely don’t want anything serious. I’m focusing on me.”

A quick trip to Eric’stwitter page to see his comments on the incident made me realize he’s even harder to understand when he’s writing then when he’s actually speaking. Most of his tweets are too offensive to repeat here, but he did take a lot of joy in retweeting “Splash!” after several followers watched the drink toss. In regard to Jen, he tweeted, “Chick Can’t Stand alone wit out Me!! Trash my Name! Even try to Defame Thy Name! But She Sure as Hell using Me 4 a Story line! LOL. The BS!” along with some Biblical references about him using the drink to cast out her demons. And wow.

In an all new interview, Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada opens up about her relationship with fiance Chad Ochocinco, even revealing their wedding plans (hint- next summer). Evelyn also discusses costar Meeka’slawsuit and her relationship with Jennifer today.

When it comes to her fiance Chad, Evelyn promises his surprising romantic gestures such as having dinner on the beach in a recent episode aren’t just for show. “He’s very spontaneous. He’s like that all the time; it wasn’t just for TV,” said Evelyn to Miami New Times. As for her wedding plans with Chad, Evelyn wouldn’t divulge much details though she did reveal it will take place “definitely next summer.” She adds that a newlywed types spin-off show is not out of the question.

Evelyn was also very vocal about Meeka Claxton’s lawsuit against Tami Roman for battery. “My honest opinion is that it is ridiculous. I think she is doing it for attention,” said Evelyn. “When you sign up for a show, you have to know that everything isn’t going to be peaches and cream. Not everyone is going to be BFFs. It’s a reality show. Fights are going to happen.” Apparently getting sucker punched in the face comes with the territory of doing the show.

And despite her past hangups with Tami, Evelyn makes it clear she is Team Tami. “After Tami and I got over our drama, we genuinely like each other. Our loyalty is with her,” she said. As for her friendship with Jennifer Williams, Evelyn reveals all is now well except that Chad and Jennifer are no longer speaking.

“It is awkward for me. We run into each other on South Beach and they don’t speak,” said Evelyn. “Chad doesn’t comment, but the fact we bumped into her one day at the movies on Mother’s Day and he didn’t speak says a lot without saying anything.” As we reported, the reunion show was taped just over a week ago and Evelyn tweeted pictures of the risque Herve Leger dress she wore. Those pics are below!

In other Basketball Wives news, TMZ is reportingRoyce Reed suffered a seizure during a charity softball game on Saturday.

Sources reveal that after playing in the game and signing autographs for fans, Royce pulled a hamstring muscle and when she went to go sit down, she passed out.

Once Royce came to, she was surprised to hear she suffered a seizure as she stated she had never experienced one before. The paramedics were called though Royce declined to go to the hospital. The good news is Royce is however feeling fine today and told friends a combination of exhaustion, stress, the heat and her diet caused the episode.

A new episode of Basketball Wives airs tonight on VH1 at 8/7 and a preview clip is below!